firstsubi

So I think I fixed the problem and wanted to thank everyone that posted a reply for trying to help me figure this out. After about 5 min I got the car to start. Seems like it was a dirty MAF sensor. So for anyone else that is having a problem starting/idling I would suggest cleaning the MAF real quick and see if it helps any!!

I just called the mechanic and he said it didn't sound like compression but he suggested I check the fuel filters. I told him I bypassed the fuel filter and that wasn't the problem. He said there is another one back by the fuel pump, but when I looked in the chilton it only mentions the one in the engine bay. Is there another one back by the fuel pump? Thanks

so it wouldnt run on 3 cylinders? idk how to do a compression test so guessing maybe it should go to a garage?

the plugs have about 3k miles on them not sure about the wires tho. Haven't actually checked for spark but pulled the plugs and cleaned them, removed the air filter just to see if it was to restrictive, and also bypassed the fuel filter in case it was clogged. The check engine light has always come on but doesn't blink. I won't let the gas get that low again just in case it is the moisture. But i definatly think it is something sensor related. I can get it to start sometimes but no matter what I do to try to keep it running it feels like im turning the key back to off, it just cuts out and dies, sometimes it will catch its self at the last moment just to die. Also something unrelated but I went to add a little oil and when I pulled the cap off there was thick cream colored stuff stuck on the bottom of the cap. It was almost like greese? Never saw anything like it, sort of thought it smelled a little like gas. But im not worried about that right now just want to get it to start so I can drive it..

I have a chilton and voltmeter and was going to try to get back to the car today to try to check the resistances. Not trying to have it towed and have the garage try to figure it out and charge 400 for labor and 200-300 for parts. That would basically total the car lol.

What ever happened with your problem? Get it figured out?

So at the end of the night I'm thinking the two most likely are the coil and the MAF with the IAC and CTS being third and fourth on the list.. but MAF is really seeming like a good possibility just because the fuel seems to just cut out out of nowhere.

when the car isn't running I hear a clicking and when i put my finger on whats maybe the purge solenoid? I don't know right now the car is stuck at my friends house and i cant do it right now but its in that area from looking at my diagram. It clicks like a turn signal. But i've heard that before and the car ran fine..??

I did that again and it didn't seem to make a difference. I was reading some other posts and think maybe its a bad output wire on the coil??

I thought after this morning maybe it was ice but it wasn't! Drove it to work ran fine, started right up during the day and again after work. Drove about 7-8 miles down the road it starts bucking and cutting out but wouldn't stop because the car was running. It did die on me but i pushed the clutch in and started it again. Got to my friends house and it died for good right as I was out front of his house. Bypassed the fuel filter, and pulled and cleaned the plugs. It will start more often but won't hold an idle. I kept the revs at 4k and it would still just cut out and die but catch at maybe 100rpm. Im thinkin maybe IAC, or ECT????? But really have no idea. Any help would be appreciated!

dont have my chilton with me at work, but did you check your fuses? and make sure the rotor is spining in the distributor?

So weird, so this morning after letting it sit in the garage all nite, tried to start it and it just cranked and cranked( only tried for 5 sec) but it woulda started after the first two cranks. I was gonna take the fuel filter off and bypass it for a min to see if it would start to pinpoint the filter. tried getting the hoses off but they were pretty thight so i figured i'd do it after work so i don't smell like gas. Tightened the screws on the clamps and saw the the fusible fuses weren't on the coolent overflow, i just moved them half inch back to the coolent holder and tried starting the car, and IT STARTED RIGHT UP!!! WTF think its ok to drive now? lol don't want it to die away from home. But it sounded fine! Drove it around the block twice and it was just like normal.

any ideas?? I let the car sit for a little while last nite and tried starting it after it sat and it did start so i gave it gas and kept it around 2.5k for two or three seconds but as soon as i let off the gas it died again and wouldn't start. Sound like its just not getting enough fuel? like a clogged fuel filter? And is there only the one fuel filter in the engine bay(EA82)?

The last time i filled the tank i added seafoam to the gas. The seafoam says it will get rid of water in the fuel if there is any. Would a bad CTS prevent the car from starting?

guessing the screw is on the post under the flat piece on top? that seemed to be fine, cleaned the contacts as they were dirty. sounded like it wanted to start a little, poured gas in the throttle body and it would start rough for a sec and die out... any suggestions the timing belts are like new so im really doubting they jumped a tooth. Thinking maybe fuel filter.

where is the rotor screw? chilton isn't much help

I did add a gal of gas. Put the needle back on top of the E at least. Guessing maybe my distributor rotor screw maybe backed out? Gonna check that.

So i just went back outside and tried to start the car again. And it did start for a second and died,, it was almost as if each cylinder fired once and that was it?? And then nothing again after that.

also right before it died there was a good bit of grey/white smoke coming out of the tail pipe, i opened my door and smelled it and thought it smelled very sulfery?

So i did some searching on the older posts and got some ideas but don't know that they will be the right answer. Just went out to start my car and go get gas. The gas light was on but Im sure I have enough to make it to the station. Started it up, it ran alright then started sounding like the IAC was hunting for an idle, it would cut out and drop till it was so close to shutting off then catch and idle high again, even if i was giving it gas it would still cut out. I decided to get the car moving and see if it would stay running. Well it didn't, died three houses down the road at the stop sign. Cranks and cranks but nothing! also when its cranking the rpm's will jump around. Any thought's.. Thanks

i thought i replied yesterday on here but canadiantires.ca has some 13" tires!

if you go to canadiantires.ca they have some 13" tires.

yea that is the car.... hm alright well guess ill see if any one else has an idea

Started driving down the road this morning and maybe 20 yards down the road i heard a loud bang from the back end of my car thought it sounded weird and there was nothing in the road, then about 6 seconds later another one. I stopped and looked under the car and there was nothing.. i feel that my hill helper is sticking but wouldn't think the noise had anything to do with that. never heard it before and it only did it those two times. Any thoughts? Thanks

alright thanks! thats what i suspected but just wanted to make sure since I'm not as knowledgeable as others.